The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Specialist Fourth Class Richard Savage Cunningham, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 14 May 1970 while serving as a tank driver with Company H, 2d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Company H was on a reconnaissance mission east of Snoul, Cambodia when contact was made with four enemy rocket-propelled grenade teams. As the company prepared to assault the enemy position, a rocket-propelled grenade struck Specialist Cunningham’s vehicle, totally disabling it, injuring the entire crew and mortally wounding the tank commander. Wounded and in great pain, Specialist Cunningham climbed atop the tank to the machine gun and immediately began placing accurate suppressive fire upon the enemy position. Even though the enemy directed intense fire towards him, Specialist Cunningham continued to return fire, allowing the medics to remove the wounded soldiers from the disabled vehicle. While in an exposed position, another rocket-propelled grenade struck his tank, mortally wounding him. Specialist Fourth Class Cunningham’s actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.